LIFELINE+

Resilient Infrastructure for a Flood-Prone Community

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Competition Entry (2013)| Philadelphia, PA

Partners: Y. Zolotrevskaya, J. Xu, & N. Cabezas

First Prize, Shenck-Woodman Competition

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Flooding has become a pressing concern in Philadelphia as global warming results in ever more intense storms. The focus of this project was to design a building and incorporate elements that would serve the community and also function as a control center and shelter in case of emergency.

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To accomplish this, all infrastructure is assigned multiple purposes, allowing it to transition from a typical recreational use to emergency use. Soft infrastructure is incorporated into the Schuylkill Riverfront design, allowing native plants to provide a natural barrier from flooding. This multi-layered approach allows the center to remain resilient, even in the event of multiple systemic failures.